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Field merchandiser vs display associate

The differences between field merchandisers and display associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a display associate has an average salary of $61,513, which is higher than the $31,495 average annual salary of a field merchandiser.

The top three skills for a field merchandiser include sales floor, store management and store associates. The most important skills for a display associate are customer service, sales floor, and store management.

Field merchandiser vs display associate overview

Field MerchandiserDisplay Associate
Yearly salary$31,495$61,513
Hourly rate$15.14$29.57
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs115,632195
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a field merchandiser do?

A field merchandiser is in charge of distributing and selling a company's products in retail stores and similar establishments. Their responsibilities include offering products and services to customers, devising sales strategies, developing sales programs and promotions, and maintaining a clear and active communication line with retailers. They must also arrange product displays to attract customers, remove damaged or expired goods, and even conduct product demonstrations. Moreover, a field merchandiser must produce regular sales and progress reports, coordinating with managers should there be any problems.

What does a display associate do?

A display associate is primarily in charge of managing product displays in an establishment, often working under the supervision and guidelines of a coordinator or manager. Their responsibilities usually include arranging products in display areas, removing lesser quality items from shelves, checking the expiration date of perishable goods, monitoring and maintaining inventory records, putting product prices and other necessary information, and keeping the sales floor clean. Moreover, in retail stores, a display associate may also assist clients by answering inquiries, helping them locate items, and recommending products.

Field merchandiser vs display associate salary

Field merchandisers and display associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field MerchandiserDisplay Associate
Average salary$31,495$61,513
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $40,000Between $29,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CityUnion City, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyFruit of the Loom-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between field merchandiser and display associate education

There are a few differences between a field merchandiser and a display associate in terms of educational background:

Field MerchandiserDisplay Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Field merchandiser vs display associate demographics

Here are the differences between field merchandisers' and display associates' demographics:

Field MerchandiserDisplay Associate
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 41.1% Female, 58.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage17%17%

Differences between field merchandiser and display associate duties and responsibilities

Field merchandiser example responsibilities.

  • Diagnose production problem and work with suppliers to present alternatives to both parties to achieve KPI (key performance indicator).
  • Manage backroom/stock room inventory by organizing pallets, stacking and storing product inventory.
  • Insure proper POS placement and product merchandising of Epson printers, projectors, scanners, inks and papers.
  • Maintain proper inventory levels and ensure proper placement of POS materials.
  • Disassemble and construct wine and spirit departments for key accounts following detail product schematics.
  • Analyze click-through and conversion rates and other online KPI's utilizing Coremetrics.
  • Show more

Display associate example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate material and equipment logistics for cross country multi-city marketing events.
  • Coordinate material and equipment logistics for cross country multi-city marketing events.

Field merchandiser vs display associate skills

Common field merchandiser skills
  • Sales Floor, 26%
  • Store Management, 24%
  • Store Associates, 13%
  • Plan-O-Grams, 11%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • End Caps, 6%
Common display associate skills
  • Customer Service, 40%
  • Sales Floor, 22%
  • Store Management, 12%
  • Display Merchandise, 10%
  • Window Displays, 8%
  • Store Displays, 8%

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